A large group of medical marijuana advocates plan to stage a protest in downtown Jackson, sending a message to the county prosecutor that they disagree with his decision to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries.

The protest is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, March 8 in front of the Jackson County Tower Building, 120 W. Michigan Ave and is expected to draw more than 100 patients, caregivers and advocates.

Protest organizer Joe Cain said the protest is at the county building — rather than the courthouse where the prosecutor works — to help bring the issue to the attention of all city and county officials. Jackson City Hall is located on the same block of the county building on the opposite side of Michigan Avenue.

Cain is the owner of the Jackson Medical Marijuana Farmers Market.

“I am dealing with tens of thousands of patients across the state who have no access,” he said.